It is understood the two 17-year-olds were on their way to college when their car left the road near Markethill around 8.30am. It is understood the Vauxhall Astra struck a tree.

The victims were the driver and front seat passenger.

Another teenage passenger was taken to hospital for treatment to injuries that are not believed to be life threatening.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash at the Cladymilltown Road.

DUP Assembly member for the area William Irwin visited the scene in the wake of the crash.

"This is such a tragedy with the lives of two young local lads lost in an instant, it really is such a horrific loss for the families of both young men," he said.

He added: "Having lost a child of my own in a swimming accident some years back, I know just how painful and totally devastating this will be for the families involved and words really cannot describe the anguish this awful ordeal brings."

Sinn Fein MLA Cathal Boylan said the community had been left stunned.

"First of all my thoughts and sympathies are with the families of the two young men who tragically lost their lives this morning," he said.

"The local community is in shock that another two young men have died in a road traffic accident adding to the recent deaths on our roads.

"I hope the young man who was injured makes a full and speedy recovery from his injuries."

SDLP councillor Sharon Haughey-Grimley also expressed her condolences and said it was not the first time that stretch of road had claimed lives, describing it as "extremely dangerous".

"Driving conditions this morning were also undoubtedly affected by the bad weather," she added.